Programme covered region's organisations that believe that 'happy employees' create high performing organisations.
From the best employee engagement to the best workplace sustainability programme, "The Happiness @Work Award's inaugural edition announced ten winners in five different categories from 15 shortlisted organisations. The programme covered region's SMEs, corporations, non-profit and public-sector organisations that propagate positivity and believe that 'happy employees' create high performing organisations.
Sustainable Mindz, a Dubai-based expertise centre for sustainability and corporate responsibility strategies in the Gulf and MENA region, instituted the award programme in July 2017, aimed at promoting happiness and positivity in the region's workplaces.
A total of 65 applications received by Sustainable Mindz for the 'Happiness @Work Awards'. Based on multiple parameters, an independent panel of jury evaluated organisations in five different categories. About 19 applications from 15 organisations were shortlisted and announced in March 20 to mark the International Day of Happiness. After a rigorous process, the jury selected the 10 winners..
The Winners
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) won the UAE's 'Happiest Workplace of 2017; while Emirates Wildlife Society - WWF was recognised for the 'Best Employee Engagement Programme'.
Aafaq Islamic Finance won two awards for the Best Workplace Wellness and the 'Best Employee Engagement; Union National Bank received the 'Best Employee Engagement', and the 'Best Workplace Sustainability Programme'.
Other winners were Danube Home (Best Employee Engagement ), Tristar Transport (Workers Welfare ), Arabian Park Hotel & Park Hotel Apartments (Employee Engagement ), Paramount Computer Systems (Employee Engagement), Summertown Interiors (Workplace Wellness) and The Blossom Nursery (Workplace Sustainability).
Winning three awards at the event, Abdulla Nasser Lootah, director-general of the FCSA, said: "These awards recognise not just the FCSA, but also commitment of the UAE Government in ensuring its employees are operating in a happy environment. I also would like to note that the success of any happiness-driven programme does not only rely on the organisation's leadership, but also the active participation of all employees; which is what distinguished FCSA's nomination in the award."
The jury was chaired by Dr Saamdu Chetri, visiting professor at Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, and the panel included Dr Mansoor Anwar Habib, senior director of employee wellness and happiness at du; Dr Yasmin Al Bulushi, Dean of Muscat College in Oman; and Jane Fiona Cumming, co-founding partner and director of Article 13 in the UK.